Yesterday in Kendal, the River Kent was rising fast. A rumble and clatter of rocks beneath the weir by Stramongate Bridge. I left Castle Street with lots of signatures on the petition opposing cattle on Kendal Race Course. A lone voice questioned whether the cattle were actually there, she hadn't seen any. Well, here's the evidence from this morning. Once again.Standing right by the cattle grid, blocking access to one of the two public footpaths.

I walked along the Brigsteer Road to the milestone and stile, the alternative footpath. And I took more images from the stile. Neither footpath was clear of cattle. And they were on the move. Some fifteen minutes later they'd gone from the cattle grid and were straddling the public footpath by Bradleyfield Farm. It's the unpredictability that is unsettling. And at Castle Street I'd heard from lots of people who were unsettled by the prospect of a walk that necessitated getting past cows. Many wouldn't take the chance, they'd simply not go there. Read Natural England's objectives and it's clear they understand the importance of our taking a walk out into the countryside to engage with Nature. Here, on Kendal Race Course, they've lost sight of their stated aims.

The petition is much more than signatures. It represents conversations with local people, with those who come here to relax and enjoy a walk in the countryside. And of course people are telling me of their experiences of close and unsettling encounters with cattle. And of serious accidents.